January 16, 2013 (FSDC PR) – The Florida Space Coast Chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) has changed its name to the Florida Space Development Council (FSDC) to better reflect the group’s focus on assisting the development of a robust space-related economy in the state.

The FSDC will remain an active chapter of the NSS, working with other Florida chapters to support the NSS mission to promote social, economic, technological, and political change in order to expand civilization beyond Earth.

“Florida is a major ‘space state’ and deserves an active and influential NSS chapter to provide grassroots advocacy,” said NSS Executive Director Paul E. Damphousse. “The Florida Space Development Council can provide support to reinforce the already-substantial efforts of Space Florida and other organizations in the state.”

The newly renamed chapter will continue to sponsor bi-monthly membership meetings, featuring ‘Space Locals’ discussions with featured aerospace professionals and project managers. FSDC members will also develop and provide advocacy for a slate of policy priorities intended to promote the growth of space-related business, academic, and government programs at the state and federal level.

“With an annual membership rate of only five dollars, we want to broaden participation in FSDC beyond our existing NSS chapter members,” said FSDC President Laura Seward. “FSDC will offer new networking opportunities and provide a grassroots voice to more Floridians on space-related policies and programs.”

As part of the chapter’s re-branding effort, FSDC has also unveiled a new website that features a statewide calendar of space-related events and a library of documents relevant to the state’s development of space policy and programs.